By Heather A. Grande
PHILLIPSBURG, NEW JERSEY n Our community rallied together to raise $2,475 in less than two days to help send 8 year old Jacob Grecco to Germany for additional medical treatments. Jacob, a Phillipsburg resident, is in the fight for his life against brain cancer and his community stands to fight with him! These treatments are going to cost in excess of $25,000, so while the goal is large, we know it can be met! No one fights alone. The community donation drive continues!
July 12, 2012 marks the one-year anniversary of when Jacob’s medical fight began. It all started with a seizure, soon followed by the diagnosis of Gliomatosis Cerebri: a very aggressive brain tumor (which then spread to his spine). Jacob’s year consisted of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and shunt placement. After his family was told that there was no longer anything his doctors here were able to do, other than pain management, they quickly acted to seek out a better answer, an answer to provide hope.
“The plan for Jacob as described by Dr. Migeod at the BioMed Clinic in Bad Bergzabern, Germany, due to ‘promising results against other glioma tumors such as glioblastoma multiforme and astrocytoma grade 3’ would be to perform ‘loco-regional deep hyperthermia…to the tumor areas (not whole body hyperthermia)’. They will also give him infusions of high dose immune system boosters” explains Jacob’s mother, Stacey Lowmaster Gravina.
“We don’t know how this will work for Jacob but it is the most promising option we have right now. Jacob’s disease is progressing, his abilities are declining and we will do whatever we can that we feel has promise. To some extent right now, we are trying to preserve his brain and spinal function long enough to get him to Germany, in hopes that their therapy improves his overall prognosis” Gravina states.
In addition to the online donation drive, Jacob’s friends and family are participating in this year’s Steeplechase Distance Run as part of Steps Together. Steps Together is a collective team, with eight beneficiaries, working together to raise funds for families or organizations in need. Jacob’s team, “Jake’s Snazzy Pistols”, has just begun collecting donations, registrations and sponsorships for Jacob! The walking and running team will race September 30, 2012 in Hillsborough, NJ, however all of the monies collected by donations and sponsorships with benefit Jacob immediately.
To make a donation, or to learn more about Jacob Grecco, please go to http://www.wix.com/jacobthehero1/teamjacob.
